SOL26 March 25 The Little Old House

This month, I am writing with the Two Writing Teachers Slice of Life group sharing bits and pieces of life. This post is about my little old house. I was locking the front door when the UPS person was delivering a package next door. You need some perspective to understand why they rushed over!

My house, like all the houses on my street, is a centenarian and has all the charm and quirks that come with old age. For example, the outside wall are made of lathe and stucco with absolutely no insulation. It also has radiators built into the walls that sound like drummers live inside; yet are amazingly efficient even if covered with about 20 coats of paint.  The floors squeak, the windows leak, there's a nest at the peak.

About 50 years ago, some strong owner hauled in a solid oak mammoth with a leaded glass inset and made it the front door. It weighs a ton and works as long as cold winds don't blow too much and the temperature stays above freezing. This has not been a good winter for entering and leaving my house which is why I keep a screw driver and an old shoe near the inside and outside of the door! I am sure you think I am quirky like my house, but let me explain.

I was locking my front door when that delivery person yells, "Let me help you up!" I guess they saw me sitting on the porch floor and thought I had fallen. Truth is, to lock the door you need to raise the door up and make the lock align. I kneel down and use a screw driver wedged into the bottom, and an old shoe to hold the door up about a quarter of an inch. Then, I get up and let  the key to do its thing before going back down to remove the shoe and the screwdriver. Phew!

I demonstrated to the UPS driver who watched and shook his head. I am pretty sure he is not participating in this writing festival, but if he were, we would both have found our slices!